Limb treatment device having a limb support therein



LIMB TREATMENT DEVICE HAVING A LIME SUPPORT THEREIN Filed Nov. 15, 1951 V. B. MOODIE Feb. 22, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet l V. B. MOODIE Feb. 22, 1955 LIMB TREATMENT DEVICE HAVING A LIMB SUPPORT -THEREIN Filed NOV. 15, 1951 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 United States LIMB TREATMENT DEVICE HAVING A LllVIB SUPPORT THEREIN The present invention relates to a new device or trough useful in ice packing or freezing of injured or infected human limbs, and in applying medication to an injured limb when it is not desired that the injured area be bandaged.

It is well known that the rapid spread of infection in a Wounded limb can be effectively combated by reducing the temperature of the infected body area. One commonly used method is to apply extreme cold to the area by means of ice.

Industrial and automobile accidents and lires not infrequently result in very serious injury-such as broken, mangled, and burned arms and legs-to those involved. If the injury is especially serious, amputation of the involved member is indicated. Amputation, of course, involves severing arteries and veins and care must be exercised in clamping the severed arteries and veins to prevent blood spurting, with a consequent loss of great quantities of blood. The amputation may be preceded by freezing the limb to a point above the place of amputation, which reduces the body temperature suiciently to contract the veins and arteries, thereby to minimize blood losses due to spurting. The freezing method usually adapted by hospitals includes packing the injured member in cracked ice for a period of time necessary to obtain the low body temperature.

Whether the treatment is to retard the spread of infection or to precede an amputation, there are two problems involved in freezing a body member. One of them is that of properly supporting the member so that the ice covers the area affected. The other is that of effectively disposing of the water from the melted ice. The treatment device of this invention solves both of these problems.

At times it is desirable to apply medication to an injured or infected area, and to maintain the area in a moist condition. Dripping the medication on an injured part is an effective method of applying this type of medication. It is also messy, requiring the use of a rubber sheet and too frequent changes of bed clothing. When the device of this invention is used in the drip medication treatment, the messy condition previously present is prevented.

It is, therefore, a principal object of the present invention to provide a novel device for supporting an injured or infected limb for treatment with ice packs, medication or the like.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a novel device for supporting an injured or infected limb, which has a drain trough and includes a sling to support the member to be treated.

A further object is to provide a device of this class, incorporating a limb supporting sling which is porous so that the moisture may be drained away into a trough which is provided with suitable drain opening which may either be plugged or be connected to a point of moisture disposal.

A further object is to provide a device of this class, wherein the sling is supported from the trough edges so as to make the disassembly of the device for cleaning a relatively simple matter.

A further object is to provide a device of this class, wherein the limb supporting sling may be made of perforated metal, perforated rubber, or canvas, or some other similar and suitable material.

And still a further object is to provide a treatment device for supporting an injured or infected limb, which is extremely light in weight so that it is easy to use and to arent O 2,702,552 Patented Feb. 22, 1955 move about from place to place.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent from the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein- Fig. 1 is a top plan view;

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional View, taken along the line 2-2 of Fig. 1, and illustrating the treatment device as used in freezing a leg;

Fig. 3 is a cross sectional view, taken on the line 3 3 VAof Fig. l;

Fig. 4 is an end view, taken from the right end of the device as shown in Figs. l and 2, with parts broken into section between to illustrate certain features of this invention;

Fig. 5 is a perspective View of a modified form of the device; and

Fig. 6 is an end view, similar to Fig. 4, of the device shown in Fig. 5 with parts broken into section better to illustrate certain features of the modified form.

Referring iirst to that form of the invention shown in Figs. 1 to 4, the treatment device 10 comprises an elongated trough 12 having a limb supporting sling 14 therein. The trough 12 has a bottom 16, longitudinally extending side walls 18, and at one end is closed by a rectangular end wall 20. Wall 22 at the opposite end of the trough is formed with an arcuate opening 24 adapted to receive the injured or infected leg or arm. The upper edges of the side walls 18 and end walls 20 and 22 are provided with beads 26 forming smooth edges to prevent sharp edges from injuring those who use the device. For the comfort of the patient, the edge of the arcuate opening 24 in the wall 22 is fitted with a pad 28 which may be made of sponge rubber, padded leather, or similar material.

The trough 12 has a plurality of drain spouts 30 in the base of the side walls 18 thereof, the spouts being arranged at spaced intervals along the sides so that any moisture which is collected in the trough may flow through one or more of the spouts. In Figs. l and 2, the spouts Sli on one side of the trough are connected trough suitable tubing 32 and a Y fitting 34 to a larger tube or hose 36, which may be run to a drain or large bucket. If desired, the individual spouts 30 may be connected directly to the drain or to a plurality of buckets which may be emptied from time to time. Since the patient who is underging treatment in this trough is ordinarily placed in a hospital bed, and since it is inconvenient that the trough be provided with drains to both sides of the bed, it is customary that the drain spouts 30 on one side of the trough be suitably plugged by removable plugs or Stoppers 38. By providing a large number of drain outlets 30 from the trough, manydifferent types of connections to hoses for disposing of moisture collected in the bottom of the trough 12 will suggest themselves to the users, and it is not intended that the illustration in the drawings or description be in any way limitative on this point.

As seen in Figs. l and 2, the sling 14 extends the entire length of the trough and ts closely therewithin between the end walls 20 and 22. In cross section, the shape of the sling 14 corresponds closely to that of the curved or arcuate opening 24 in the end wall 22. The sling 14 therefore includes a sheet of metal 40 which is curved at 42 in its longitudinal center to form a comfortable rest for an arm or a leg. The sling is bent to provide a pair of parallel hooked edges 44 which are engaged over the upper edges 26 of the side walls 18. The sling 14, when made of metal, has a certain amount of resiliency and tends to take a shape slightly wider than that of the trough 18, and this resiliency is used to retain it within the trough 12.

In the form of the invention shown in Figs. 1 and 2. the sheet metal sling is provided with a plurality of longitudinallv extending slots 46, which are staggered as seen in Fig. l, for the purpose of draining away from around the arm or leg being treated, water or other moisture into the space 48 between the trough bottom 16 and the outer surface of the sling 14. Any type of opening 46 may be employed in the sling, such as round holes or transversely extending slots, or curved slots, but it has been found from practical experience that the preferred type of opening in a metal sling is a longitudinal slot as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. This type of opening is easy to clean, provides a sufticient amount of drain area and does not interfere with the transverse liexing of the metallic sling 14.

When the device is to be used in freezing a member, as shown in Fig. 2, the limb is laid in the trough to the extent it is desired to apply the ice, and is then completely encased in cracked or other ice 50. To prevent the ice from coming out of the opening 24 around the upper part of the leg, there is provided a gate 52, which may be made of a metal sheet 54, having a curved opening 56 formed therein with a bead therearound and provided with a pad 58 similar to the pad 28. The gate 52 is formed across the top thereof with a curved bead 69 which retains a stout wire 62 provided with hooks 64 at either end. The spacing of the hooks 64 from each other is sufficiently wide so that they may be engaged over the top edges of the side walls 18 and the longitudinal hooks 44 formed on the sling 14. The gate is anchored in position by a pair of C-clamps 66 of conventional construction, which at one point clamp against the hooks 64 and at the other point clamp against the inner face of the sling 14. The gate 52 may be positioned at any point along the trough as may be desired, but it is usually preferable that it be placed adjacent to the wall 22 so as to minimize the possibility of ice or moisture escaping from the trough and dripping onto the bed clothing.

Since the method of dripping or otherwise applying liquid medication to an open Wound or infection is well understood, the manner of using the trough and sling combination in this invention in such treatment is obvious.

Modified form of the treatment trough and sling shown in Fig. has a trough 12 in all respects identical with the trough 12 illustrated in Figs. l to 4, except that it is provided adjacent the upper edges 26 of the side wall 18, with a plurality of slots 70 to receive retaining straps 72 to support a sling 74 in the trough. The sling 74 is made of a flexible or pliable material such as rubber, canvas, sturdy cloth or the like. If made of rubber, as shown in Fig. 5, the trough is provided with drain holes 76 shown to be circular in their configuration. Adjacent its parallel longitudinal edges 77, the sling is formed with a plurality of slots 78 having the same longitudinal spacing as the slots 70 in the side walls of the trough, so that the strap 72 will pass through both the holes 70 and 78 when they are brought into alignment. The sling 74 is mounted within the trough 12 by laying it over the upper edges of the side walls 18 and drawing marginal edges 77 of the sling downwardly against the walls 18 until the slots 78 in the sling match or coincide with the slots 70. The straps 72 are threaded through the pairs of slots 70, 78, beneath the sling and around the outer surfaces of the side walls 18 and bottom 16.

Proper tension on the strap 72 to support the limb held in the sling 74 is obtained by drawing up the strap through conventional buckles 80, preferably positioned all on the same side of the trough so that they may be conveniently adjusted.

The modified form of the device shown in Figs. 5 and 6, incorporates a gate 82 comprising a metal sheet 84, and provided with a padded arcuate opening 86, similar to that shown in the modification of Figs. 1 to 4. This gate 82 has a novel mounting 88 comprising a pair of Wire members 90 having hooks 92 at their inner ends and longitudinally slidable in a closed bead 94 formed in the upper edge of the gate. The hooks 92 project into a central slot 96 the opposite ends of which limit their movement in the outward direction. At their outer ends, the Wire members 90 are provided with L-shaped lugs 98 through each of which is threaded the stem 108 of an adjustment bolt 102 having a winged finger grip 104 by means of which it may be tightened against the beaded edge 26 of the trough 12. The gate 82 has the same function as the gate 52 and may be positioned as desired within the trough.

The device of the modification is used in exactly the same manner as that of the Figs. l to 4.

From the foregoing description of two forms of ice pack and medical treatment trough it is clear that the objects claimed for this invention have been attained. It is also clear that when using the device of this invention in freezing a limb it is unnecessary to use rubber sheets or frequently to change the bed clothes because of their wet condition, and that ice may be added to replenish that melted without handling the patient, and consequently the treatment is more effective.

While preferred embodiments of the treatment device constituting this invention have been shown and described, it will be apparent that numerous further modifications and variations thereof may be made without departing from the underlying principles of the invention. It is, therefore, desired by the following claims to include Withing the scope of the invention all such variations and modifications by which substantially the results of this invention may be obtained through the use of substantially the same or equivalent means.

What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by United States Letters Patent is:

l. A device for medically treating an injured or infected limb, comprising in combination an elongated trough having end walls with an arcuate opening in the upper portion of one end Wall thereof through which the limb to be treated is adapted to extend, a concave sling extending from end to end of said trough interiorly thereof and on which the limb to be treated may rest, means suspending said sling from the upper edges of the longitudinal walls of said trough so that the lowest point of said sling is spaced from the bottom of said trough and substantially aligned with the lowermost point in the arcuate opening, a plurality of openings in said sling through which water and moisture may drip to the bottom of the trough, drain openings in the lower portion of said trough through which the moisture collected therein may be drained, a gate having an arcuate lower edge adapted to encircle the upper portion of the limb to be treated and cooperable with said sling to prevent ice, medicament, and the like from contacting that portion of the limb under treatment outside of said gate, and means on the gate removably securing said gate to said trough in any adjusted position longitudinally of said trough.

2. A device for medically treating an injured or infected limb, comprising in combination an elongated trough having a pair of end Walls with an opening in one end wall thereof through which the limb to be treated may extend, a longitudinally concave substantially rigid sling extending from end to end of said trough interiorly thereof and on which the limb to be treated may rest, means suspending said sling from the upper edges of the longitudinal Walls of said trough so that the lowest point of said sling is spaced from the bottom of said trough, said end wall opening being shaped to conform approximately to the concavity of said sling and being aligned therewith, a plurality of openings in said sling through which water and moisture may drip to the bottom of the trough, and a drain in the lower portion of said trough through which the moisture collected therein may be drained.

3. A device for medically treating an injured or an infected limb, comprising in combination an elongated trough having a pair of end walls with an opening in one end wall thereof through which the limb to be treated may extend, a plurality of slots in parallel walls of said trough adjacent the upper edges thereof, a foraminous exible sling having a plurality of complementary parallel slots formed therein and adapted to overlie said Wall slots, a plurality of straps encircling said trough, extending through pairs of said slots in said side walls and said sling and passing beneath said sling thereby to support said sling in said trough, and drain openings in the lower portion of said trough through which the moisture collected therein may be drained.

4. A device for medically treating an injured or an infected limb, comprising in combination an elongated trough having a pair of end walls with an opening in one end wall thereof through which the limb to be treated may extend, a plurality of slots in parallel walls of said trough adjacent the upper edges thereof, a foraminous eXible sling having a plurality of complementary slots formed therein along parallel edges thereof and adapted to overlie said wall slots, and a plurality of straps encircling said trough, extending through pairs of said slots in said side walls and said sling and passing beneath said sling thereby to support said sling in said trough.

5. A device for medically treating an injured or an infected limb, comprising in combination a trough having side and end walls, a plurality of slots in parallel side walls of said trough adjacent the upper edges thereof, a foraminous flexible sling having a plurality of complementary slots formed therein along parallel edges thereof and adapted to overlie side wall slots, and a plurality of straps encircling said trough, extending through pairs of said slots in said side walls and said sling and passing beneath said sling thereby to support said sling in said trough.

6. A device for medically treating an injured or infected limb, comprising in combination an elongated trough having a pair of end walls with an opening in one end wall thereof through which the limb to be treated may extend, a foraminous sling supported in said trough and on which the limb to be treated may rest and through which moisture and the like may drip, a gate mounted in said trough and adapted to close said opening in said one'end wall around the limb to be treated, and said gate having means for removably securing said gate in position in said trough, said securing means comprising a pair of members oppositely slidably carried by said gate for sliding movement transversely of said trough, means on said gate limiting the outward sliding movement of said members, and screw means carried by said members and engageable with said trough and adjustable to move said members againstA said movement limiting means.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 22,733 Karshner Ian. 25, 1859 103,060 Lee May 17, 1870 222,690 Goldschmidt Dec. 16, 1879 1,775,442 Sarason Sept. 9, 1930 2,305,582 Kennedy et al Dec. 15, 1942 

